ZMotorsports Shop Projects 2.0

[Jayman17]

Looks like another great trip! Incredible scenery in your photos. Thanks for posting those pics.

Jay

 

[Jayman17]

I would eat my lunch off of that engine bay.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Awesome pics as usual, Mike, thanks for sharing! That part of CO is one of my favorites!

 

[zmotorsports]

Looks like another great trip! Incredible scenery in your photos. Thanks for posting those pics.

Jay

Thanks for following along. I appreciate the comments.

I would eat my lunch off of that engine bay.

It's clean but not sure if it's quite "that" clean.

 

[zmotorsports]

Thanks for following along Marc.

We are quite fond of that area as well. This was our fifteenth year and already planning on next year again.

 

[signcrafter]

Sounds like a wonderful family vacation. Glad everything went well and everyone had a good time.

Any details on your portable water softener setup for washing vehicles?

 

[zmotorsports]

Sounds like a wonderful family vacation. Glad everything went well and everyone had a good time.

Any details on your portable water softener setup for washing vehicles?

Scott, it is a DI Rinse Pro 100 resin tank. I did a full assembly and cart build way back at the first of this projects 2.0 thread starting about page 21 when I bought the tank. I also have a couple of videos on my YouTube channel showing the cart that I built for it.

 

[macgyver]

Last week was our annual Ouray/Silverton, Colorado trip so I've been away for a while.

It was a great trip and this year our son and DIL were able to come with us so it was even more special. My son has never driven his own Jeep(s) there and has really only been with the wife and I about three of our trips since our first in 2007. Once he graduated high school in 2010 he has traveled less with me and the wife. My DIL has only driven through Silverton with her family years ago so this was a very enlightening vacation for the both of them. My DIL is really taking well to this whole off-roading thing and my son has been hooked since he was younger so it's a win/win.

As for me, I was nervous as hell the first couple of days as I now had another Jeep to worry about and stress over besides my own. I think I've mentioned before that SW Colorado has a way or torture testing vehicles as far as cooling systems, brakes, transmissions and all other systems due to the elevation itself as well as the climbs and descents. So with that in mind I was very anxious during the drive there as well as the six days of off-roading, although after about the second day my anxiety seemed to lessen when I saw how well our Jeeps were doing.

As for how the Jeeps performed, I am really pleased. My Jeep performed even better than it has over the previous three years with the current powertrain. This is the fourth year we've had the Jeep to Colorado in this configuration. It also turned over 50k miles on this powertrain during our trip last week. I think the ECM replacement and getting the operating system corrected was the major factor in overall performance at those elevations, although it never did poorly before. During previous years my only concerns were with the altitude causing fuel trims to be off from where I thought they should be and coolant temps were around 233-235 degrees on the steepest of the grades, which is not that bad and still under control but I thought they should be lower. Transmission temps stayed about normal over the grades being around 185-195 degrees most of the time. I think the transmission temp hit 200 once on a long grade where I stayed in 2 hi a bit too long and should have geared down into 4LO sooner. In previous years when fueling up at around 7500' elevation after being over 13k feet my adaptives would be all over the place and fuel trims would go high positive then negative. This is why I always thought there was something fishy about the operating system.

This year however, Long Term Fuel Trims (LTFT) stayed near zero being plus/minus 2.3-4.6 range but quite often sitting at -2.3 to 0.7 so damn near perfect. Then when a fueling event would reset the adaptives, it would be almost -1.5 to 0.0 to 0.7 or so back to camp and the coolant temp would sit right on the thermostat and trans temp would settle down to around 160~170 range. I couldn't have been more happy with the Jeep.

As for my son's, I was very impressed with how well his suspension flexed without any rubbing issues and no weird noises or handling issues. His cooling system would sit around 200-210 most of the time but his transmission temps would get a bit higher than I like so we are going to add a bit larger transmission cooler. Separating the engine and transmission cooling duties completely has made a big difference overall. I think I was more pleased with his Jeep than he was because I don't know that he truly understands or comprehends what an accomplishment it is to drive 425 miles on the highway, wheel for 6 days straight and then drive another 425 miles back home with zero issues and coming straight out of the shop. We nailed his suspension geometry as far as limiting droop, controlling the upward travel (bump) and not having any interference issues, especially in the high stress elevations and environment that SW Colorado throws at these vehicles. I tried explaining that his Jeep was a question mark because the suspension system isn't a mass produced, off the shelf system that just gets bolted on and performs like every other one installed and that it was all completely custom built and put together in our shop and the fact that it performed so well straight out of the shop is a HUGE accomplishment, but maybe he didn't expect anything any different.

I was also able to meet Quinn @macgyver and his wife during our trip.

Funny story about that. It was our first night in Ouray and the four of us headed down into Ridgeway to eat at True Grit. After dinner driving back to camp and our kids into town to their motel room, we took a small detour down around some farms and along the foothills to see if we could spot some wildlife as it was nearing dusk. As we drove past the Ouray KOA where we normally stay, I spotted a Monaco Signature that looked familiar from posts and pictures that I had seen over the past few years. I told my wife "I think that's Quinn's Sig there in the KOA". She didn't seem to believe me because after all, how would I know one from another. But us guys know and pay attention to such things.

As we pulled back into our campground and was getting out of the Jeep my phone went off with a message. It was Quinn letting me know that he and his wife passed us on the highway. We ended up meeting up for breakfast the next morning before he and his wife headed out on the next leg of their vacation but it was so nice to meet Quinn and his wife and finally being able to put a face with a name on the internet. Thanks for taking the time to meet up with us Quinn. It truly was a pleasure to spend some time with you and your wonderful wife.


Now for the picture dump from last week's SW Colorado trip.

Hooked up and heading out. Hardly a drop of rain over the previous few weeks and as SOON as I pulled the coach out of the shop to hook up the Jeep, it started to sprinkle. It quit after only a few drops but then around Spanish Fork Canyon south of us the skies opened up and it was a torrential downpour for about 60 miles or so.


Day one airing down before climbing up and over Owl Creek Pass. My son deflating tires and disconnecting front sway bar links.


Overlooking Silverjack Reservoir.


On the way back we pulled down by the river for lunch. Lawn chairs out and sitting beside a babbling brook for lunch. Doesn't get much better, especially with the kids.


Son and DIL posing at the sign for Owl Creek Pass at just over 10k feet.


Airing down on Day # 2 before climbing over Corkscrew Gulch, Hurricane Pass and California Pass. Jeeps did great and really set my mind at ease after Day # 2.


Poser shot at top of Hurricane Pass, around 12,700 feet and clouds moving in fast.


By the time we hit the top of California Pass at nearly 13k feet the clouds were dissipating and we had blue sky again.


Another poser shot at the top of California Pass. We took in the views while we waited for some uphill traffic to go by.


During another day's adventures it took us past the Red Mountain Mining area where we saw a lot of abandoned mines, some of which were still standing.



More pictures to follow.........

Hey Mike, we just got home! It was great to meet you and your son in Ouray!! We will have to get together and wheel one of these days!

Quinn

 

[gearhead1960]

Upon arriving home Saturday afternoon and seeing how bad my lawn needed mowing, I commenced doing yardwork after unloading the coach.

Yesterday morning I began the tedious task of detailing the coach top to bottom, undercarriage and exterior. It was filthy after driving through all of that foul weather at the beginning of our trip.

Generator extended and getting a detail.


Engine bay being detailed and the Roadmaster Tow Defender unrolled to ensure it got a thorough cleaning as well as it was covered with road grime and spray.


Engine bay after detailing.






Then the engine compartment and generator compartments were closed for a hand washing and chamois job before backing her into the shop until next trip.




Home sweet home. This will more than likely be the last time I get a shot of the Ultra CVO in the same pictures as the coach as it is going up for sale.



Thanks for looking.

Did I understand it right, you’re selling the RV? You got all the kinks worked. Why? What next?

 

[customh]

"the Ultra CVO in the same pictures as the coach as it is going up for sale."...
The Harley Ultra is going up for sale, not the coach. See below.

After much deliberation over the past couple of months followed by a lot of soul searching and waffling over the past week or so finally led me to a long and in-depth conversations with the wife over the weekend, I have decided to sell our bike.

If anyone knows of someone who is looking for a meticulously maintained and clean 2010 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic CVO, I know someone who has one for sale....








Thanks for looking.

 

[zmotorsports]

Hey Mike, we just got home! It was great to meet you and your son in Ouray!! We will have to get together and wheel one of these days!

Quinn

Would love that Quinn. We seem to run in the same circles, just not at the same time.

 

[zmotorsports]

Did I understand it right, you’re selling the RV? You got all the kinks worked. Why? What next?

Not the coach, Travis clarified above, that the Ultra CVO is going up for sale. Sorry about the confusion. Who knows though, as we get nearer to retirement I am sure to sell the Dynasty for a replacement, I just can't seem to decide on what I will replace it with. I waffle over that thought quite a lot as we travel and my wife and I discuss what we will get as we get closer to retirement but I worry that whatever I replace it with may not be as solid or reliable as the old Monaco that is now over 20 years old.

I keep telling myself a Prevost conversion or a Newell but to be honest, to get them in my price range I would have to go back to nearly the same vintage as my Dynasty and they would need a lot of TLC to bring them up to my standards when I would begin zeroing them out. One coach that keeps floating to the top of my "maybe" list of a new coach is the Entegra Cornerstone. I have been quite impressed with them for a production coach. Oh well, decisions, decisions. I am fortunate to have time on my side to continue pondering.

 

[zmotorsports]

So last night in the mail, I got my new to me Starrett depth micrometer. I have had a cheapy Chinese version for the past several years and have wanted to upgrade to a Starrett or Mitutoyo but couldn't bring myself to pay the price of new. Many of the ones I was seeing were either missing rods, beat to hell or have had huge engravings in them. I finally found a very nice, clean and completely intact Starrett 440Z-6L with all of the rods and in excellent condition for being used. The price I felt was fair so I bought it and once I opened it up last night I was very pleased.

Case is in good condition but you can tell it was used.


Inside the case I found everything in place and no damage to the base, thimble, rods or even to the foam.


A quick trip to the surface plate found it to be dead nuts on.




Lastly, I removed the Chinese depth mic from the metrology drawer and added the new to me Starrett to its new home. Sorry, for the messy drawer. This seem to be one of those drawers that are hard to organize yet still get all of the **** in. It may not look it, but I know where everything is in this drawer and can reach right for what I'm looking for when I open it. I really do need to go through this though when I get some time.


After playing around with the new toy, I moved over to the bike in preparation to put it up for sale. I have a new HD battery to install but also thought I would do a full fluids service so whomever buys it can just turn key and go. After replacing engine oil, filter, transmission fluid and primary fluid I thought I'd check the the brake fluids and hydraulic clutch fluids as I haven't changed them in a few years.

Seat and saddlebags removed to give her a good detail with Meguiar's Final Inspection as well as less chance of scratching while servicing.




Glad I decided to check the brake and clutch fluids as they were just starting to absorb some moisture. The clutch fluid was right @ 2% and the front and rear brake fluids were at 1%. Although not terrible and still in the acceptable range, they're easy enough to flush and replace.



Next up is to finish the detailing and get it listed for sale. I hope it sells quick and will provide someone a nice ride for many years. It's been a great bike and I have mixed emotions about selling but I just don't ride much these days, especially since my son sold his Street Glide earlier this spring.

 

[WoodsTruck]

If I had a handy brake fluid moisture meter, it may as well only come with a >4% light. Wet side of Oregon and my list of priorities don't get the fluid changed as often as it should be.

 

[zmotorsports]

If I had a handy brake fluid moisture meter, it may as well only come with a >4% light. Wet side of Oregon and my list of priorities don't get the fluid changed as often as it should be.

Here in northern Utah we are technically we're a desert but do seem to get our share of snow so it's kind of a mixed bag as far as climate. Luckily we don't see much humidity in the warmer months which really makes it nice, besides I don't think my body could handle the high humidity that some areas see. Generally it comes down to the 3-4 year range before you start seeing any moisture in our hydraulic brake systems but I try to shoot for 2-year service intervals on my personal vehicles. Back when I had my speed shop I would also encourage my clientelle to allow me to flush every 2 years. Most complied but some thought it a bit much but all I could do was make the suggestion and supply them with the reasoning.

I used to use the paper test strips but found this electronic tester several years ago and have come to really like it.

 

[Mr. Roboto]

Man, that trip looks incredible. Being able to enjoy it and create the memories with your son has to be the icing on the cake. I'm happy for you that you were able to make the voyage!

Dragging my Jeep out west is very high on my bucket list someday. No idea if it's even anywhere near built up enough for the trails you're on (doubtful). But, this is a good excuse to take it to the next level some day if it is not!

 

[zmotorsports]

Man, that trip looks incredible. Being able to enjoy it and create the memories with your son has to be the icing on the cake. I'm happy for you that you were able to make the voyage!

Dragging my Jeep out west is very high on my bucket list someday. No idea if it's even anywhere near built up enough for the trails you're on (doubtful). But, this is a good excuse to take it to the next level some day if it is not!

Thank you. If you get out this way let me know, I can always use an excuse to meet up to go off-roading.

 

[zmotorsports]

Arrived home from work last night and went straight to work putting the bike back together and finishing the detailing.

Installed new battery, double checked the fluids after servicing the night before, then completed wiping the chassis and paint down with Meguiar's Final Inspection and vacuumed the trunk and saddlebags so I can post it up for sale.

At this point I've just told a few people that I was thinking of selling it and last night a friend of a friend of a friend called asking about the bike for sale as I was finishing up. He wanted to know all about it and after about 20-minutes on the phone he seemed very interested in the bike but then seemed to cool a bit after I told him the price. I don't know what he expected for pricing but I wonder if he has even seen what these are going for online and I think I am right in line. He wanted to haggle and lowball but I told him I was asking high book and that he would be getting all of the upgrades/options at no cost at high book (because you generally only get pennies on the dollar for upgrades anyways) plus the bike was about as "off the showroom floor condition" as one could possibly be and that I didn't think he would find a bike as clean, pristine or as well maintained as this one. At this point I'm not giving it away because I am already on the fence about selling it. I absolutely HATE selling things and having to deal with people who want something for nothing even though they can see how nice it is and I haven't even officially posted it up for sale yet.


Here are some pictures of my pride and joy. Gonna miss the ole' girl as it's been a great bike.



















After the final detailing I rolled it outside for the last couple of pictures. It was looking so good I decided I would take it for one last ride. Took off and put another 15 or so miles on her and after coming back to the shop I wonder if that was a mistake.

After parking the bike back in the shop I decided to mow the lawn and clear my head. Not sure if that worked or not.


Thanks for looking.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Stick to your guns Mike. Someone will appreciate it for what it is and pay your $.

 

[jhn9840]

She’s definitely a top shelf ride. Someone is going to come along and pay you what it’s worth.

jhn9840
John

 

[gearhead1960]

You should hold your ground for the price you want. You're certainly in no hurry to sell, so should have no reason to have to haggle over price. If you get anymore jerks like that, I would stop him and tell him "take it or leave it, our conversation is done"......

 

[zmotorsports]

Thanks guys.

That is probably one of the reasons I hold on to things for so long is because I hate the hassle of selling anything.

 

[zmotorsports]

And the fun begins. Just posted it less than 5-minutes ago and already received three texts asking if this item is still available? No details, just is it still available.

F**kin' scammers.

 

[Bob Heine]

Mike, like you I rarely sell my vehicles but unlike you they are never that pristine. I never ask top dollar so I really hate the haggling and I hate the stupid low-ball offers. I'm a patient person but I quickly tell them this is not the vehicle you are looking for. If that doesn't end the haggle, I suggest they visit a junk yard where they can find one they like for that offer.

 

[rattle_snake]

Good luck with sale Mike. Although most things are a PITA to sell these days there are non-flakes out there once in awhile. My last two transactions went well and the buyer was capable of intelligent thought and good communication. There is still hope.

 

[Finallygotit]

Mike, like others have said, stick to your guns. That is one beautiful ride and one that is, without question, well maintained. I'm sure the right buyer will show up. Patience my friend.

 

[SilverJimmy]

Mike, I would love to be ”Down Stream” of you! I had a friend that always had to have the best. His home theater rivaled the local Harkin’s for sound and picture quality. When he would decide to upgrade he was fair about the price but you didn’t insult him by trying to lowball the item. Stick to your guns, I’m betting you’re underpriced for what your bike is. From what I can see in the pictures that bike is better than new.

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike, I would love to be ”Down Stream” of you! I had a friend that always had to have the best. His home theater rivaled the local Harkin’s for sound and picture quality. When he would decide to upgrade he was fair about the price but you didn’t insult him by trying to lowball the item. Stick to your guns, I’m betting you’re underpriced for what your bike is. From what I can see in the pictures that bike is better than new.

Thanks Jimmy.

Ya know what's funny, and I think I've mentioned this before, is that I get people coming up to me at various times saying "hey, when you get ready to sell that (whatever) let me know because I want it or I'm interested." Then when the time comes they either aren't that interested, don't have the money (usually big talkers) or they offer some ridiculous low amount. I simply don't get it, why say anything if you're not serious.

As for lowballing people, I am not a fan. I don't like to insult people and when I am looking to buy something from somebody I know, there is a mutual respect and generally an unspoken "code" and both of us walk away feeling good about the deal. I will admit on a few occasions however, where someone had something for sale that I was a little bit interested in but they were way over-priced, I have to admit I've tossed out a number that I thought was fair although it may not have sounded fair to the other person. Luckily I don't buy things very often and don't find myself exhibiting that behavior on a regular basis because I hate to do so.

The gentleman I purchased this bike from back in 2016 I knew very, very well. When he mentioned he was going to sell it I asked him how much he wanted. When he told me what he was thinking, I simply looked at him and said "done". When do you want the money? He shot me what he thought was a fair number, I thought it was a fair number and we both walked away feeling good about the deal. That's the way it should be and from the years of watching my father do purchases and trades many, many years ago I feel it used to be that way.

 

[gorilla]

Did I see a thread micrometer in your meteorology drawer? If so you've one up'd me.

 

[zmotorsports]

Did I see a thread micrometer in your meteorology drawer? If so you've one up'd me.

Yes, lower right in the picture. Unfortunately I don't find myself using it as much as I thought I would when I bought it. It's still nice to have though.

 

[zmotorsports]

I have a few more pictures from earlier in the week when I was servicing the CVO and had it on the lift.







I love this picture with the bike on the lift, the toolbox and flags and signage in the background.


Dumping fluids.


Snap-on funnel screwed into the engine for a spill proof fill.



Thanks for looking.

 

[zmotorsports]

Didn't get much done in the shop last night. Here in northern Utah yesterday we broke our old record with our 23rd day of the year in the triple digits. I was hoping we were done with the hot days for the year and it would start cooling down by mid-August, but I guess not.

After a stressful day at work combined with the hot afternoon I just pulled the Jeep in the shop gave it a wipe down and vacuum after our trip to SW Colorado last week then fixed a large ice water and sat and stared at the Jeep and bike until the wife got home from work.

 

[Mr.zippy]

Sorry Mike, but that motorsickle would be really hard for me to let go..........it is gorgeous.

 

[jbmatth]

I also dislike selling things but usually when I do it is something I'm ready to get rid of and after waffling for a few months actually put it up for sale and hate the next few days/weeks of dealing with people. I also don't usually lowball people without good reason. I took my buddy up to check out the red and black '68 Mustang I've shared on my thread and the seller was asking 13, based off of the condition and market at the time I told the seller I didn't want to insult him with my offer because to me it wasn't worth upsetting him. He asked for the offer just to hear it, I said $6,500, he countered $6,800, sold. I think that was pretty fair and he was happy so it was a win win but couldn't believe he came off of his number that much. I believe because it does work sometimes people ask, if they then berate you for not accepting that is when the conversation is over.

JB

 

[ronjon1190]

I agree, I always want to pay a fair price for things that I buy, and I want to get paid a fair price for things I sell. I have no problem with hearing a low offer, because I always start on the low side of fair, knowing you have a hard time negotiating down from a higher offer. Attitude is everything. If a buyer gives me a legitimate offer that is lower than I want to part with my item for, I say no, and there are no hard feelings, but if the same buyer has a bad attitude when I decline, the conversation ends quickly.

I bought a Ford Ranger from a co-worker a few years ago. I had told him multiple times that when he wanted to sell it, I wanted to buy it. When he finally wanted to sell it, it needed some mechanical work, but was still in very nice shape. He asked me what I would give him for it, and I asked him what he wanted. It went around in circles for a day or two, because I didn't want to offend him with a low offer. (KBB on the truck in fair condition was around 5 grand, and I didn't want to pay that in light of the mechanical issues.) He finally came up to my desk and said how does $1000 sound? I said it sounds like I will pick it up Saturday morning.
In the end, I was worried about offering him 3 times what he wanted for it. We both ended up very happy with the deal, and I happily fixed the issues it had and put almost 40,000 miles on that truck, until I sold it to get something bigger to tow my camper.

Best of luck with the sale. Your Harley, like everything you own is in better shape than showroom new, and I am sure that the right buyer who will appreciate that, will show up!

 

[zmotorsports]

Sorry Mike, but that motorsickle would be really hard for me to let go..........it is gorgeous.

Yes, it is hard to let go. I just haven't ridden it much over the past year or so and this bike screams to be ridden, not sitting in the shop collecting dust. If I'm not going to ride it then I want someone else to get enjoyment from riding it. I was planning on doing more riding this year but when my son sold his earlier this spring, then I had my health issues around May/June it made me reevaluate things. Without my riding buddy, riding doesn't mean the same. I completely understand my son's logic about a motorcycle not really being a family friendly toy and I can appreciate and respect that decision. In fact I felt the same way when we had a young family but then got more into street riding as our son got into high school. We have enjoyed it, but life changes. I also used to have this vision of my son and I building custom motorcycles side by side in our home shop/business and enjoying them together but I think that was a pipe dream and not really one that took off. When we sold our old home and shop and moved into our new home, during the planning stages of the new shop we had long discussions about layout and what we wanted the shop to be like because we figured we would be spending a lot of time in it eventually and while building bikes we took into account as a priority being work flow vs. storage so I am grateful we had those discussions even if we won't be building bikes together. My son has his own life now that he is married and I don't begrudge him of wanting to walk his own path. We had many memorable hours and days in our shops side by side which I will always cherish. We still have many things in common that we enjoy but going into business together won't be one of them.

Several weeks ago when I presented my idea of selling the bike to the wife and then last week we had a lot of alone time to discuss it she asked me one question over and over, "will I regret selling it?" I really couldn't answer her honestly at first because I thought maybe I would in fact, regret it. I have had about 8 street bikes over our 33 years of being married, the first ones were junkyard saves because money was tight and like my son said, it wasn't a family activity. We focused on more family friendly motorsports earlier in life and street riding was just something I played with as I worked on various bikes for clients. When my son was nearing graduation from high school he mentioned he wanted a street bike so we as a family dove in full bore. We don't seem to do anything half-assed and when we get into something we are ALL-IN or not in at all. At that point I bought my second Harley Davidson, my first was a non-running bike that I bought to flip a few years prior. Since then I have had 3 more Harleys and loved each one. We were completely enveloped with the joys of riding and packed the bikes around for many years in our enclosed trailer behind the coach. We had discussed doing some long distance riding on the bike with friends but that never came to fruition, partly because I couldn't seem to leave the coach behind in exchange for riding the bike and staying in hotels along the way.

As I was reflecting about that question on whether I would regret it I kept going back in my head to the days of snowmobiling and duning as a family. Both of which we were very heavily involved in and our speed shop seemed to center around for nearly the 20 years our business was open. Do I miss the snowmobiles and sand toys? At times, yes. We had a lot of fun with them and made an incredible amount of memories as a family. Were they expensive and require a large amount of time and money? Ab-so-freaking-lutely they did. But the joy we got our of sitting on a snow covered mountain top laughing and enjoying our lunch with deep powder and blue skies will continue to make me smile, as will the days of rip-shitting around a sand bowl and watching my son catch air over a dune. However, that doesn't mean I want the headaches and expense of maintaining all of those toys back into my life. I enjoy listening to my son tell my DIL about some of the adventures we had as a family and wonder if he misses it. When we were working on his Jeep before our Ouray trip I asked him if he ever thought he'd like to get back into those motorsports. He didn't even hesitate when he said "no". He said he enjoyed them growing up but doesn't want the headaches nor the expense in his life. I completely understood where he was coming from.

As I get a bit older I feel more content knowing that as a family we have been blessed and fortunate to have been able to enjoy so many different toys and/or walks of life and ultimately settle on the ones that mean the most to us now. I have "toyed" with the idea of someday building another muscle car or street rod but at this point in life I just want to enjoy what we have and who knows what the future will hold. If I am being honest, I think I would like to build a car more suited for touring or cruising than something built for drag racing or car shows. Those two hobbies I think I am past as they require very, very deep pockets and I am unwilling to jeopardize any retirement plans at this stage in life. I want to keep costs down at this point in life and maybe as I get to retirement and see where our finances are at I will crack open the wallet and build something with a grandchild.


Sorry for the long drawn out response but just sharing some thoughts while they were bouncing around in my head.

 

[Mr.zippy]

Nice write up Mike. It sounds like you got this!
Now I gotta say, if I see you in the future running around on one of them 3 wheel Can-Am's, I may have to unsubscribe .....Nah I wouldn't, I enjoy your adventures and shop stuff way too much!

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice write up Mike. It sounds like you got this!
Now I gotta say, if I see you in the future running around on one of them 3 wheel Can-Am's, I may have to unsubscribe .....Nah I wouldn't, I enjoy your adventures and shop stuff way too much!

Ha, ha. No I don't see that in my future.

Unfortunately after I sell this bike I may not see another bike in my future at all.

I do appreciate you following along though. I have some other projects coming up that I hope you'll enjoy.

 

[Monza Harry]

I like everybody here has already mentioned, the right buyer will likely come along sooner than later and if not you really aren't hard pressed to get rid of it so then you just enjoy it until the right buyer shows up. As for low balling, some guys ask huge to deal with low ballers! I have offered substantially less than asking but I have an honest respectful discussion before I shoot out a number (my current Monza). Example I don't think his price is out of line for an asking price but for my needs, this car isn't exactly what I'm looking for but I can make it fit my wants/needs, however that will cost me money, so I'll (or all I can) offer (is) $*** and I understand if he can't do that, this time he was ok, sometimes a small negotiation heeds succes, sometimes I leave empty handed. Honest and respectful is usually appreciated as even those that turn down my lower offer are rarely angry at me, some are angry but I start with the statement above and most accept that it just wasn't enough. Harry

 

[lilscorpion]

Catching up Mike. Gotta say, this photo may have made my YEAR!!! I can it believe no one else spit up their drink like I did.



I mean come awn guys, this is priceless. Takin a cell phone pick through its eye piece and everything…”cheese!!!”